Slain Savannah Sgt. Kelvin Ansari's death garners nationwide, local support for family

Tuesday

Two days had come and gone since Ansari was shot and killed by an armed robbery suspect on Bull Street. On Monday, Savannah police, city leaders and members of the community gathered in the same spot to lay flowers on a patrol car draped in black fabric.

It was their first time seeing the memorial. Kelvin Ansari’s youngest daughter, Niya Ansari, sat in her mother Charlotte Ansari’s lap. Next to her were two of her five children, Asia Coles, 19, and Michael King, 11.

They sat facing the cameras and microphones of local media outlets. Behind them, Savannah police officers stood in silence.

It was their first public appearance since Ansari’s death. The family was invited to a press conference held by the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a group that was established in honor of firefighter Stephen Siller who lost his life in 9/11.

The organization honors military and first responders “who continue to make the supreme sacrifice of life and limb for our country.”

The Ansari family watched as Stephen Siller’s brother, Frank Siller, took to a podium.

“It saddens me to be here today, mourning the loss of yet another hero, Sgt. Kelvin Ansari, who sacrificed his life in the line of duty serving his community of Savannah. These horrific and senseless tragedies happen far too often,” Siller said.

Siller announced at Tuesday’s press conference the foundation would be paying $100,000 of the Ansari family’s mortgage, with a promise to eventually pay for their home entirely.

“We don’t want Charlotte and his kids to worry about their mortgage. We don’t want them to worry about their house that they, just together about a year ago, moved into,” Siller said. “So the Tunnel to Towers Foundation is going to donate the first $100,000 towards their mortgage.”

Last week, the foundation gave a mortgage-free home to a gold-star family in Bloomingdale.

To donate to Ansari’s Tunnel to Towers fund, go to tunnel2towers.org/donate. Donors also have the option to give directly to Ansari’s fund.

Local support

Tunnel to Towers assists the families of fallen military and first responders nationwide, but locally, the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire will be donating money to the Ansari family as well, board member Doug Weathers said.

Weathers said the organization will be donating money to Ansari’s family to cover the costs of the funeral, which is to be held Saturday.

The 200 Club will also cover the cost of college tuition for each of Ansari’s children.

“We grant all of their children a college education. We pay everything. They don’t pay a penny to go to college. We pay it all.”

The 200 Club also provides savings bonds to each child on their birthday, sends flowers on Mother’s Day and Christmas and provides a Thanksgiving dinner in the family’s home, Weathers said.

Club President Mark Dana met with Savannah police command staff on Sunday to assess the family’s immediate needs.

A Tuesday press release said the club is “standing by, prepared and honored to meet with Sgt. Ansari’s family after the funeral service this weekend.”

Weathers said the presentation of these donations will not be televised.

The financial support of these organizations isn’t the only support Ansari’s death has garnered.

Online support

A Florida Facebook page called Running For Heroes follows a 10-year-old named Zechariah who runs a mile everytime a first responder or service member falls in the line of duty.

On Sunday, he dedicated his run to Ansari.

According to the page, they aim to raise $15,000 for Tunnel to Towers in 2019.

The New York Police Department’s 100th Precinct posted Ansari’s photo and bio on Twitter Saturday night.

Our prayers and condolences are with the family and friends of @SavPolice. On May 11, 2019 Sergeant Kelvin Ansari was shot and killed as he attempted to apprehend a robbery suspect. He had served with the Savannah Police Department for 10 years.#FidelisAdMortem pic.twitter.com/WQnuijmzjG

— NYPD 100th Precinct (@NYPD100Pct) May 14, 2019

// ////

Los Angeles Police Department did the same.

His name is Sergeant Kelvin Ansari. A husband and father of four children. A 21 year veteran of the US Army. A 10 year veteran of the Savannah Police Department. Last night he was shot and killed in the line of duty. Today, he is our American hero. pic.twitter.com/lmLnsB6CVT

— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) May 13, 2019

// ////

Other posts from dozens of other police departments and precincts across the U.S. have mourned Ansari’s death.

Funeral

On Tuesday, Savannah police announced Ansari’s funeral and visitation services.

Ansari's funeral will be held at Calvary Baptist Temple at 11 a.m. Saturday. A public viewing will be held at Campbell and Sons Funeral Home from 2-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

On Saturday, there will be rolling road closures between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. as Sgt. Ansari is taken from the funeral home to the church, said police spokeswoman Bianca Johnson.

The hearse will travel south on Barnard Street to Anderson Street, then east on Anderson Street to Waters Avenue then travel south to East 63rd Street.

Following the service, which is estimated to end around noon, roads will be blocked while the procession moves from the church to the cemetery. All intersections along the route will be closed, but will be reopened as intersections are cleared.

These closures are estimated to last about 1 hour.

Anyone who wishes to show support is invited to set up along the processional route, Johnson said.

Police suggested supporters set up before 11 a.m. to avoid traffic closures.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.